- Published on
Lamentations 3:55-58
I called on Your name, O LORD,
From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
"Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help."
You drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, "Do not fear!"
O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life.
From the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice:
"Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help."
You drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, "Do not fear!"
O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;
You have redeemed my life.
We call on the name of The Lord — more often than not — when we need Him to fix something; get us out of a troubling situation or a difficult relationship, and surely He leaps into action and in an instant everything is peachy once again. Fortunately for us He doesn’t work like that. Our God knows us too well and operates on a far more creative level than we can ever know.
The prophet Jeremiah says here that when we call out His Name, because we are in the lowest pit, He hears and brings us words of reassurance, and says “Do not fear!” That is what we need to hear, whatever the problem may be. It may be all that we need to hear, for just as He awaits our cry, He desires that we hear Him; that we are in a hearing relationship with Him. What do we understand by ‘hearing’, when our cries come from the heart and make no sound?
In my ‘salad days’ as a Christian, I once asked a spirit-filled man of God what he understood by hearing God’s voice. He balled his fist and tapped his stomach with it, telling me it was ‘a gut response’, often a deep one that left no doubt of the Holy Spirit having spoken. He added that there were times that he had got things wrong, but that the fault was his — running ahead of God; not waiting on understanding Him.
Just as The Lord is patient (or longsuffering) with us, we must wait upon The Lord. Just as He hears us, He asks us to listen for His response, and take time to acknowledge and give thanks to Him.
The prophet Jeremiah says here that when we call out His Name, because we are in the lowest pit, He hears and brings us words of reassurance, and says “Do not fear!” That is what we need to hear, whatever the problem may be. It may be all that we need to hear, for just as He awaits our cry, He desires that we hear Him; that we are in a hearing relationship with Him. What do we understand by ‘hearing’, when our cries come from the heart and make no sound?
In my ‘salad days’ as a Christian, I once asked a spirit-filled man of God what he understood by hearing God’s voice. He balled his fist and tapped his stomach with it, telling me it was ‘a gut response’, often a deep one that left no doubt of the Holy Spirit having spoken. He added that there were times that he had got things wrong, but that the fault was his — running ahead of God; not waiting on understanding Him.
Just as The Lord is patient (or longsuffering) with us, we must wait upon The Lord. Just as He hears us, He asks us to listen for His response, and take time to acknowledge and give thanks to Him.
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
ISAIAH 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
PSALM 55:16-19
As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
God will hear, and afflict them,
Even He who abides from of old.
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
PSALM 55:16-19
As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.
God will hear, and afflict them,
Even He who abides from of old.
HEAR MY VOICE — Lisa Bevill
A HOLY COMMAND
Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your HEART --
WE LIMIT OURSELVES and our conceptions of God by ignoring the side of the Divine Nature best symbolized by womanhood, and the Comforter, be it reverently said, surely represents this side of the Divine Nature. It is the Comforter Who sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts. It is the Comforter Who baptizes us into oneness with Jesus, in the amazing language of Scripture, until we are indwelt by a mysterious union with God. It is the Comforter Who brings forth the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance.
[from ‘Christian Discipline’]
[from ‘Christian Discipline’]
LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW…
- Published on
1 Samuel 18:12-16
Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul.
Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.
Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
Today’s meditation is from David Wilkerson’s devotional book ‘God Is Faithful’, and we present this to you as it seems to hit exactly the place where many of us are being challenged in these days. It is a timely reminder about bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
“Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him” (1 Samuel 18:12).
Satan most envies and fears those who have been with God in prayer and are determined to stand up and fight in faith. Satan fears even a small army of those who are girded up in faith for a fight. He cowers before those who are up on their feet and ready to resist. He also fears you, and because of this his design is to neutralize your fighting spirit.
The devil does this by trying to flood your mind with defeating, distracting, hellish thoughts that breed mistrust and questions about God’s power. He will whisper into your mind and spirit, “It is no use fighting. You are too weak from your personal struggles, so you might as well relax. The powers of hell are just too big to overcome. You don’t need to be so intense about the battle anymore.”
That is a distraction! Satan’s entire strategy is to get you to take your eyes off the victory of the cross. He wants to turn your focus onto your weaknesses, your sins, your shortcomings—and that’s why he turns up the heat of your present problems and sufferings. He wants to make you believe you are not strong enough to go on. But your strength is not the point—Jesus’ strength is!
We all are going to be in a fight until we either go home to be with the Lord or Jesus comes back. We may be given seasons of calm, times of reprieve, but as long as we are on this earth, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. That is why Paul says Jesus has given us weapons that are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. We have been equipped with every weapon needed, which Satan cannot withstand: prayer, fasting and faith.
DAVID WILKERSON — ‘On Our Feet And Ready’ [from ‘God Is Faithful’]
Meditate On These Things
2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-6
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
STAND UP STAND UP FOR JESUS — Stuart Townend
A HOLY COMMAND
Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your HEART --
WHEN WE HAVE that wonderful love of God in our hearts, the sovereign preference for Jesus Christ, our love for others will be relative to this central love.
"We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake"
(2 Corinthians 4:5).
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy]
"We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake"
(2 Corinthians 4:5).
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on download file below
- Published on
Revelation 8:1-2
When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
There are many interpretations of these verses in the Book of Revelation. Most follow the ‘apocalyptic’ style of the writing, which to the contemporary way of thinking seems — in my understanding — to encourage theories of interpretation both fanciful and misguided, and at odds with what scripture reveals elsewhere. We have already looked at Revelation 8:1 in April 2020 (See ‘Silence In Heaven’). Here are some further thoughts.
Apocalyptic writing is a method of presenting ideas in a surreal — or better — a supernatural way, used here to express scriptural wisdom and spiritual truth. In essence it is a literary device, and one which powerfully describes the awe-inspiring nature of the Plan of God. However, it adds a layer of difficulty in interpreting and understanding the message. Indeed — as with all Bible writings there are levels of meaning beyond the mere literal.
In our gathering this week, we ranged between Malachi 3 and Revelation 8, 10 and 22; only a part of our meeting with The Lord in the air. This silence in heaven for about half an hour has engendered much speculation. Why the pause? Is this ‘the calm before the storm’, or perhaps something we often encounter when there is a significant change — a time of reconfiguration, readjustment and reflection? A pause before the next act of the drama; a time to prepare for a proclamation.
I believe that the mention of time here is important. If we look at the word or words involved in that expression, we see that it denotes a very short time, even instantaneous. The translation could read ‘in that same day’ or ‘in that same moment’, although that does not seem to make sense to us. The silence could not be instantaneous — at least not in the natural world. But in thought, in spirit, it is a different matter. ‘Silence’ here means ‘peace’ or maybe ‘dumbstruck’. John describes this time of peace as the angels preparing to sound the first trumpet — a moment, long or short, between the opening of the seventh seal and The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (verse 7)
God’s refining work then begins.
Apocalyptic writing is a method of presenting ideas in a surreal — or better — a supernatural way, used here to express scriptural wisdom and spiritual truth. In essence it is a literary device, and one which powerfully describes the awe-inspiring nature of the Plan of God. However, it adds a layer of difficulty in interpreting and understanding the message. Indeed — as with all Bible writings there are levels of meaning beyond the mere literal.
In our gathering this week, we ranged between Malachi 3 and Revelation 8, 10 and 22; only a part of our meeting with The Lord in the air. This silence in heaven for about half an hour has engendered much speculation. Why the pause? Is this ‘the calm before the storm’, or perhaps something we often encounter when there is a significant change — a time of reconfiguration, readjustment and reflection? A pause before the next act of the drama; a time to prepare for a proclamation.
I believe that the mention of time here is important. If we look at the word or words involved in that expression, we see that it denotes a very short time, even instantaneous. The translation could read ‘in that same day’ or ‘in that same moment’, although that does not seem to make sense to us. The silence could not be instantaneous — at least not in the natural world. But in thought, in spirit, it is a different matter. ‘Silence’ here means ‘peace’ or maybe ‘dumbstruck’. John describes this time of peace as the angels preparing to sound the first trumpet — a moment, long or short, between the opening of the seventh seal and The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (verse 7)
God’s refining work then begins.
Meditate On These Things
MALACHI 3:1-3
"Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,"
Says the LORD of hosts.
"But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner's fire
And like launderers' soap.
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness.
"Behold, I send My messenger,
And he will prepare the way before Me.
And the Lord, whom you seek,
Will suddenly come to His temple,
Even the Messenger of the covenant,
In whom you delight.
Behold, He is coming,"
Says the LORD of hosts.
"But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner's fire
And like launderers' soap.
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;
He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness.
As it is difficult to illustrate the silence in heaven with a video, we shall not try,
and present this song of Heaven instead …
SING TO ME OF HEAVEN — Acapeldridge
and present this song of Heaven instead …
SING TO ME OF HEAVEN — Acapeldridge
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your HEART --
THE DEEP SECRET of God is Love, and only the child-heart and the child-spirit can find the way to learn this secret. Jesus Christ satisfies the last aching abyss of the human spirit, and until He does there is a great element of the precarious in our life.
[from ‘Christian Discipline’]
[from ‘Christian Discipline’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on the download file below
- Published on
James 1:16-20
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
No shadow of turning. Our God is unchanging and unchangable. It is we who can change, and do. The fact that He is the Rock on which we are supported is of such amazing comfort and reassurance.
With the death of our Queen, it is easy to feel cast adrift, particularly as she reigned for a full three score years and ten. She has always been there for us. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I felt a deep sense of loss, when I heard the news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. I was born less than a month after her coronation, have never met her, and seen her only twice from a distance. Yet like so many, the shock of her death was palpable, as of the passing of someone in our own family circle.
One small detail made an impression on me. Apparently, the royal standard on Buckingham Palace is never lowered to half mast on the death of the Sovereign. Why? Because there is always a monarch. Charles became our King in the very instant his mother died. There is always a monarch, so the Royal banner is always there atop the seat of the monarchy. It is there as a sign of the perpetual nature of earthly kingship in this nation, just as our Lord Jesus Christ reigns forever in the spiritual realm. Such symbols were put in place in the days when we were more a Christian nation than seems the case today.
Our Queen was a great example of a woman and monarch of deep faith, and — it is ever thus — we perhaps only appreciate that fact now that she is no longer with us. King Charles has vowed to be ‘defender of the faith’. In these days we are witnessing man’s small attempts to display the immensely greater eternal weight of glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
No man or woman has the capacity in themselves to live up to the blesséd actuality of Christ, so Lord we pray this day, that You anoint our new King, that he may have a hearing ear and a seeing eye, to live up to that promise; that his faithfulness to God be great, without any shadow of turning.
And lest we forget, each one of us are not just called to be, but made to be kings and priests in His service’, so that the call to unwavering steadfast faith rests upon us also. A heavy burden that may seem, but His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Look to Him; He will do it.
With the death of our Queen, it is easy to feel cast adrift, particularly as she reigned for a full three score years and ten. She has always been there for us. I cannot speak for anyone else, but I felt a deep sense of loss, when I heard the news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. I was born less than a month after her coronation, have never met her, and seen her only twice from a distance. Yet like so many, the shock of her death was palpable, as of the passing of someone in our own family circle.
One small detail made an impression on me. Apparently, the royal standard on Buckingham Palace is never lowered to half mast on the death of the Sovereign. Why? Because there is always a monarch. Charles became our King in the very instant his mother died. There is always a monarch, so the Royal banner is always there atop the seat of the monarchy. It is there as a sign of the perpetual nature of earthly kingship in this nation, just as our Lord Jesus Christ reigns forever in the spiritual realm. Such symbols were put in place in the days when we were more a Christian nation than seems the case today.
Our Queen was a great example of a woman and monarch of deep faith, and — it is ever thus — we perhaps only appreciate that fact now that she is no longer with us. King Charles has vowed to be ‘defender of the faith’. In these days we are witnessing man’s small attempts to display the immensely greater eternal weight of glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
No man or woman has the capacity in themselves to live up to the blesséd actuality of Christ, so Lord we pray this day, that You anoint our new King, that he may have a hearing ear and a seeing eye, to live up to that promise; that his faithfulness to God be great, without any shadow of turning.
And lest we forget, each one of us are not just called to be, but made to be kings and priests in His service’, so that the call to unwavering steadfast faith rests upon us also. A heavy burden that may seem, but His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Look to Him; He will do it.
Meditate On These Things
REVELATION 1:4-6
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS — Chris Rice
A HOLY CONDITION: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— LOVE with all your HEART --
THE SUREST SIGN that God has done a work of grace in my heart is that I love Jesus Christ best, not weakly and faintly, not intellectually, but passionately, personally and devotedly, overwhelming every other love of my life.
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on the download file below…
- Published on
Genesis 19:23-28
The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.
Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.
So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.
Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.
So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.
Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.
This morning, while ‘out wiv dog’ as my friend, the artist Alexander Hamilton — who passed away early in 2021 — used to say, I began considering what it is that sets so many in this present age to turn away from God and look to old pre-Christian beliefs. I have heard some say that they don’t like religion, seemingly equating these old ideas — or what is now called ‘humanism’ — as not religious.
Obviously, I have to generalise here, for this topic is not straightforward religion vs unbelief, and I am sure that many will disagree with my thoughts. However, my belief is that we all believe in something, even if that something is nothing. I can say that, for me, it is certainly a case of “Here but for the Grace of God, go I.”
It does seem that in rejecting a notion of Christianity, leaves a considerable number in a chasm of emptiness and, casting about for something to hold on to, are drawn into a fantasy world, loosely based on ancient beliefs, which can sound appealing in their promises. It is a form of regression to an idyllic idea of the past that never existed. Maybe. What do I know? I know that I know, and have been shown that in vision, so that I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. [2 Timothy 1:12b] Ultimately, it is not for me or any of us to judge, but only to observe and discern the times as best we may, guided by The Holy Spirit.
In my considering, I heard the passage from Genesis (above), speaking to me. Lot’s nameless wife looked back behind Lot to the conflagration of all she desired and was consumed by The Lord’s destruction. Abraham, on the other hand, was able to look on that same scene and saw only the smoke of the land, but then Abraham stood before The Lord, Who had put that veil of smoke before Abraham’s eyes — his unwavering faith protecting him from that emptiness and death as suffered by Lot’s wife.
We should recognise that this same spiritual vacuum surrounds us today, and only the seed of Abraham will be protected in these times, just as Abraham himself was shielded by The Heavenly Father.
Obviously, I have to generalise here, for this topic is not straightforward religion vs unbelief, and I am sure that many will disagree with my thoughts. However, my belief is that we all believe in something, even if that something is nothing. I can say that, for me, it is certainly a case of “Here but for the Grace of God, go I.”
It does seem that in rejecting a notion of Christianity, leaves a considerable number in a chasm of emptiness and, casting about for something to hold on to, are drawn into a fantasy world, loosely based on ancient beliefs, which can sound appealing in their promises. It is a form of regression to an idyllic idea of the past that never existed. Maybe. What do I know? I know that I know, and have been shown that in vision, so that I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. [2 Timothy 1:12b] Ultimately, it is not for me or any of us to judge, but only to observe and discern the times as best we may, guided by The Holy Spirit.
In my considering, I heard the passage from Genesis (above), speaking to me. Lot’s nameless wife looked back behind Lot to the conflagration of all she desired and was consumed by The Lord’s destruction. Abraham, on the other hand, was able to look on that same scene and saw only the smoke of the land, but then Abraham stood before The Lord, Who had put that veil of smoke before Abraham’s eyes — his unwavering faith protecting him from that emptiness and death as suffered by Lot’s wife.
We should recognise that this same spiritual vacuum surrounds us today, and only the seed of Abraham will be protected in these times, just as Abraham himself was shielded by The Heavenly Father.
Meditate On These Things
PSALM 91:1-9
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
I’VE COME TOO FAR TO LOOK BACK — Praise song by James Hollihan, Roby Duke
Music: Redeemed Quartet.
Background: Glen Orchy and Glencoe, Scotland, UK.
Music: Redeemed Quartet.
Background: Glen Orchy and Glencoe, Scotland, UK.
A HOLY CONDITION: Oswald Chambers on JOY and PEACE
— PEACE: Life in the SPIRIT --
MAN WAS TURNED out into destitution, and was thus divided from Deity; God disappeared from him, and he disappeared from God.
There are three false unities possible in a man's experience — sensuality, drunkenness, and the devil — whereby man's spirit, soul, and body are brought into harmony and he is quite peaceful, quite happy, with no sense of death about him. A drunken man has no self-consciousness, he is perfectly delivered from all the things which disintegrate and upset. Sensuality and Satan will do the same; but each of these unities is only possible for a time.
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]
There are three false unities possible in a man's experience — sensuality, drunkenness, and the devil — whereby man's spirit, soul, and body are brought into harmony and he is quite peaceful, quite happy, with no sense of death about him. A drunken man has no self-consciousness, he is perfectly delivered from all the things which disintegrate and upset. Sensuality and Satan will do the same; but each of these unities is only possible for a time.
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on the download link below…
- Published on
Acts 27:16-20
And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.
Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands.
Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
As a child I remember reading the classic story Swiss Family Robinson, which in the translation I knew — it was written by German-Swiss author Johann David Wyss — began with the words “For six days we were tempest-tossed.” Wyss wrote his story to teach his four sons about Christian values, and used Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe as a model, (the original name for Wyss’s tale was The Swiss Robinson — the family’s name was never stated).
That double barrelled tempest-tossed stuck in my mind, and Acts 27 has all the thrill of an action and adventure story, but with the added drive of a deep spiritual dimension. It is a chapter which has drawn me back again and again — each time finding new insights with each reading. Verse 20 concludes with the despairing line that all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
The story moves swiftly on, with Paul allowing himself an ‘I told you so, but would you listen?’ moment, following that with the revelation that God had spoken to him by an angel, assuring him that everyone would be saved, although the ship would be lost. [Acts 27:22-23]
All that could be done was done — they threw all they had overboard and lightened the ship, then they threw the ship’s tackle overboard, to no avail. I have to be honest and say that I cannot see the point in throwing all that ballast overboard. It speaks of out and out panic, further endangering ship and those onboard, so that what we have here is a group of inexperienced seafarers faced with every mariners nightmare. There is nothing to be done about it. Perhaps for this reason if for no other they were prepared to listen to Paul
The lesson for us here is that the hand of man cannot save himself from disaster — no matter how hard we may try. Only through faith in God, hearing in The Holy Spirit and embracing the life of our Lord can we be saved. Even in the worst of scenario’s He is with us, extending the arm of safety and help in the time of trouble.
That double barrelled tempest-tossed stuck in my mind, and Acts 27 has all the thrill of an action and adventure story, but with the added drive of a deep spiritual dimension. It is a chapter which has drawn me back again and again — each time finding new insights with each reading. Verse 20 concludes with the despairing line that all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
The story moves swiftly on, with Paul allowing himself an ‘I told you so, but would you listen?’ moment, following that with the revelation that God had spoken to him by an angel, assuring him that everyone would be saved, although the ship would be lost. [Acts 27:22-23]
All that could be done was done — they threw all they had overboard and lightened the ship, then they threw the ship’s tackle overboard, to no avail. I have to be honest and say that I cannot see the point in throwing all that ballast overboard. It speaks of out and out panic, further endangering ship and those onboard, so that what we have here is a group of inexperienced seafarers faced with every mariners nightmare. There is nothing to be done about it. Perhaps for this reason if for no other they were prepared to listen to Paul
The lesson for us here is that the hand of man cannot save himself from disaster — no matter how hard we may try. Only through faith in God, hearing in The Holy Spirit and embracing the life of our Lord can we be saved. Even in the worst of scenario’s He is with us, extending the arm of safety and help in the time of trouble.
Meditate On These Things
ISAIAH 54:11-15
"O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colourful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.
Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.
"O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colourful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
And from terror, for it shall not come near you.
Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me.
Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.
HURRICANE — Robin Mark
A HOLY CONDITION: Oswald Chambers on JOY and PEACE
— PEACE: Life in the SPIRIT --
COMMUNITIES ARE MAN'S attempt at building up the city of God; man is confident that if only God will give him time enough he will build not only a holy city, but a holy community and establish peace on earth, and God is allowing him ample opportunity to try, until he is satisfied that God's way is the only way.
[from ‘The Highest Good’]
[from ‘The Highest Good’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on download file below…
- Published on
1 John 2:20-21+24-27
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
…
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
…
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.
And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Before I became a Christian, I used to muddle along quite well. Folk generally seemed to think that I was a fairly gentle soul — a little diffident perhaps — but someone who kept himself to himself. Even the words I use to describe myself are equivocal. People would express surprise when, occasionally, I ‘stuck my head above the parapet’. Many of us are like that — non-confrontational — not making waves.
However, this attitude — while it seeks to avoid making enemies (which it doesn’t, by the way) — is very much ‘sitting on the fence’. I realised that, once The Lord had got hold of me, I was not being true to my faith, that I was walking in a spirit of compromise with the world — and that is not far off siding with the enemy. I needed to please God instead of man, or myself. And when we come to know Jesus in truth, we find we have discovered the key to change.
You do not stop making enemies in this process — quite the reverse in fact — your change upsets people, disturbs their own outlook, even if they are believers in Jesus also. I would say that The Lord’s Truth and the separation it involves, increases the number of your enemies. It doesn’t make you a friend of The World.
But John encourages us to walk that road nonetheless, for we have a promise and this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. Our path takes us beyond this earthly life, and into the promised land. … and let us not forget that the Truth is with us by His Holy Spirit. The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Now if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you the land which He promised to give to your fathers, [Deuteronomy 19:8]
However, this attitude — while it seeks to avoid making enemies (which it doesn’t, by the way) — is very much ‘sitting on the fence’. I realised that, once The Lord had got hold of me, I was not being true to my faith, that I was walking in a spirit of compromise with the world — and that is not far off siding with the enemy. I needed to please God instead of man, or myself. And when we come to know Jesus in truth, we find we have discovered the key to change.
You do not stop making enemies in this process — quite the reverse in fact — your change upsets people, disturbs their own outlook, even if they are believers in Jesus also. I would say that The Lord’s Truth and the separation it involves, increases the number of your enemies. It doesn’t make you a friend of The World.
But John encourages us to walk that road nonetheless, for we have a promise and this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. Our path takes us beyond this earthly life, and into the promised land. … and let us not forget that the Truth is with us by His Holy Spirit. The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Now if the LORD your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you the land which He promised to give to your fathers, [Deuteronomy 19:8]
Meditate On These Things
PSALM 15
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbour,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honours those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbour,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honours those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
A LOVE FOR TRUTH — Dylan Woodward
A HOLY CONDITION: Oswald Chambers on JOY and PEACE
— JOY: Strength in the LORD --
HAPPINESS IS THE portion of a child. Children ought to be thoughtless and happy, and woe to the people who upset their happiness. But if you take happiness as the end and aim for men and women you have to make its basis a determined ignorance of God.
The seventy-third Psalm is the description of the man who has made happiness his aim. He is not in trouble as other men, neither is he plagued like other men; he has more than heart could wish. But once let his moral equilibrium be upset by conviction of sin and all his happiness is destroyed.
The end and aim of human life is not happiness, but “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Holiness of character, chastity of life, living communion with God -- that is the end of a man's life, whether he is happy or not. Happiness is no standard because happiness depends on being determinedly ignorant of God and His demands.
Anything that relieves us from the individual responsibility of being personally related to God is corrupt.
The seventy-third Psalm is the description of the man who has made happiness his aim. He is not in trouble as other men, neither is he plagued like other men; he has more than heart could wish. But once let his moral equilibrium be upset by conviction of sin and all his happiness is destroyed.
The end and aim of human life is not happiness, but “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Holiness of character, chastity of life, living communion with God -- that is the end of a man's life, whether he is happy or not. Happiness is no standard because happiness depends on being determinedly ignorant of God and His demands.
Anything that relieves us from the individual responsibility of being personally related to God is corrupt.